Prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity, the accused has pleaded not guilty. He is notably accused of having used public funds to finance the activities of the notorious Interahamwe militiamen.
Tanzanian Prosecution counsel, Wallace Kapaya told Hirondelle News Agency Thursday that he was not comfortable with the slow pace of the cross-examination, adding that he was compelled to send back nine witnesses without testifying.
‘'The prosecution will spend two to three hours for Examination-in-Chief for a witness whereas the defence will spend between two and three days for cross-examination of the same witness,'' he explained.
Adjourning the session, Presiding Judge William Sekule of Tanzania said on resumption on January 25, the session would run until the completion of the prosecution case.
The trial of Ngirabatware, who is also son in-law of the former Rwandan wealthy businessman Felicien Kabuga, commenced on September 23. Kabuga, often referred to as financier of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, is among the most wanted suspects by ICTR.
Arrested in Germany on September 17, 2007, Ngirabatware has been in the custody of the ICTR since October 8, 2008.
NI/SC/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency